Peeling Potatoes, Saving Profits
Reducing food waste is one of the most important objectives of this generation. Processors, retailers and consumers increasingly focus on the origin of food and expect food producers to adopt sustainable business practices. Thankfully much of the product loss incurred during potato peeling is preventable, and this not only increases the utilization of the precious potato, but also enables food processors to produce high-quality flavorsome dishes.
Peelers are categorized by the way by which they peel: abrasives, steam or knives. Abrasive peelers have many varieties, first being continuous or batch processing, then by the style and aggressiveness of the abrasive used. Abrasive options include soft and stiff bristle brushes, carborundum, aluminum oxide grit coated surfaces and diamond dust for long wear with tough surface conditions.
Speed, Size and Energy
Vanmark offers continuous abrasive peelers and custom-configured rollers to each processor’s product and application.
The feasibility of custom designs is dependent on the relationship between an OEM and processor, as collaboration, additional time and budget are necessary for throughout concepting and development.
“For this reason, we look to custom configure standard equipment for an application. In the last year, Vanmark has focused on bringing the quality and durability our peeling equipment has historically provided to large processors to smaller processors while being economical. This new equipment addresses lower processing rates, footprint constraints and utility consumption while being dependable and versatile,” the company representatives told us.
One of the company's continuous peelers is tailored to potato chip processors with output of approximately 150-500 kg/hour. In addition to the peeler, Vanmark offers a full system with an even feeder conveyor and inspection table.
The main source of wastage is product waste from poor quality peeling, meaning good product is peeled off unnecessarily. Vanmark says their abrasive peelers combat waste with configurable roller types, speed and options for each application – from separating foreign material, scrubbing or removing skins entirely.
Though it has always made good business sense to eliminate waste, this necessity is now more important than ever because of the legislative and consumer led changes facing the food industry.
You can read the rest of this article in your complimentary e-copy of theMay/June Issue of Potato Processing International magazine, which you can access by clicking here.
